China will take further measures to improve higher education to
further develop key disciplines, the government said on
Wednesday.
The representatives heard a report on the development of the
"211 project" at a State Council executive meeting presided over by
Premier Wen Jiabao. In the early 1990s, China initiated the project
for higher education aimed at cultivating talent for national
economic and social development strategies in the 21st century.
The project focused on the development of around 100 key
universities to cultivate talent adaptable to the new needs of the
21st century.
Representatives acknowledged the achievements made by the
project during the past decade and agreed to further its following
construction to improve China's higher education.
"We need to further develop the key disciplines and try to
upgrade them to international levels," a statement released by the
meeting said.
"More efforts need to enhance the quality of teaching staff and
nurture a group of leading figures in these key disciplines.
"We also need to strengthen supervision of academic projects
review and intensify the audit of funds allocated for scientific
projects to guarantee the proper use of the funds," it said.
(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2008)